Pratidin
Polity and governance22 September 2026Indian Express, Explained

Article 371 A to J, and what a new 371K could do for Ladakh

Ladakh wants safeguards. Is Article 371 the answer, or the Sixth Schedule?

Published 22 September 2026. Written by Pratidin from the reports linked at the end; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work

The Indian Express explains the special provisions in Articles 371 to 371J and what a proposed Article 371K could offer Ladakh. At talks in New Delhi on 9 September with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the Ministry of Home Affairs proposed a new constitutional provision for the Union Territory.

The road to Padum in Zanskar, Ladakh.
The road to Padum in Zanskar, Ladakh. Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Under the proposal, a directly elected, Union Territory-level body would have legislative powers over land, culture and language, forests, environment, natural resources, and other subjects reserved for the UT under Article 240. However, the MHA did not share a draft or say whether the body would control finances, planning, the bureaucracy, police or law and order. Ladakh's representatives called the proposal incomplete and asked for a written framework before the next round of talks, expected in October.

Ladakh has had no legislature since it became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019. Its groups have demanded statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, and safeguards for land, jobs and culture. Article 371K would need a constitutional amendment, since the existing provisions run only from 371 to 371J.

Practise this in the app: flashcards, quiz and a timed answer
Prelims

Prelims facts

  • Article 371 contains special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat; Articles 371A to 371J cover Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Karnataka.
  • Article 371J, added by the 98th Amendment (2012), provides for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
  • The Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2) and 275(1)) provides autonomous district councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Quick recall

Which Article provides special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat?
Article 371.
Which Article covers Nagaland's special provisions?
Article 371A.
Which Article covers the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, and when was it added?
Article 371J, added by the 98th Amendment (2012).
When did Ladakh become a Union Territory without a legislature?
On 31 October 2019.
What did the MHA propose for Ladakh on 9 September 2026?
A new Article 371K with a directly elected UT-level body having legislative powers over land, culture and language, forests, environment and natural resources.
Which groups did the MHA hold talks with?
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
What did Ladakh's representatives call the proposal?
Incomplete; they asked for a written framework, since finances, police and bureaucracy were not addressed.
Which States have Sixth Schedule areas?
Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Prelims practice question

Article 371J of the Constitution makes special provisions for which State?

  1. Goa
  2. Karnataka
  3. Sikkim
  4. Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer

Answer: (b) Karnataka. Article 371J (98th Amendment, 2012) covers the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana-Karnataka) region of Karnataka.

Use this in UPSC Mains: previous-year questions

Recurring theme: Asymmetric federalism and special constitutional safeguards for regions

  1. 2026 · GS3 · 10 marksCovers one partUse it in the body

    Ladakh is strategically located between China and Pakistan. As a measure to win hearts and minds of locals, discuss the Border Area Development Programmes (BADP) by the Central Government and civic actions by the Army. Also discuss demand of promulgation of provision of the Sixth Schedule of constitution for Ladakh.

    How to use this

    Covers the Sixth Schedule demand part of the question, with the Centre's alternative offer; it has nothing on BADP or Army civic action.

    • Ladakh has had no legislature since becoming a Union Territory on 31 October 2019; its groups demand statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion and safeguards for land, jobs and culture.
    • About 97% of Ladakh's population is tribal, supporting the Sixth Schedule demand, but note that the Centre prefers a model that keeps control as Ladakh borders China and Pakistan.
    • On 9 September 2026 the MHA proposed an Article 371K body with powers over land, culture, forests and resources, but was silent on finances and police; LAB and KDA called it incomplete.
  2. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marksAnswers it directlyUse it in the body

    How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.

    How to use this

    Supplies the constitutional examples of asymmetric federalism and a live negotiation over extending it to Ladakh.

    • Article 371 covers Maharashtra and Gujarat; Articles 371A to 371J cover Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Karnataka.
    • The Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2) and 275(1)) provides autonomous district councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram; Article 371J came via the 98th Amendment (2012).
    • Ladakh shows the dispute-resolution challenge: the MHA's 371K offer gave no draft, and the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance sought a written framework before October talks.
  3. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksCovers one partUse it in the introduction

    Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the 'Nagas' as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.

    How to use this

    Gives the place of Article 371A within India's tailored special provisions, useful to frame the Naga concern; it has nothing on the petroleum directives.

    • Articles 371A to 371J give special provisions to specific States, with Article 371A covering Nagaland.
    • Note that Article 371A protects Naga customary law and land, an example of provisions tailored to a region's identity.
    • Note that the Article 371 model offers safeguards but less self-rule than the Sixth Schedule, and keeps the Centre's administrative control intact.
Prelims
  1. 2015 · Prelims

    The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes (b) determine the boundaries between States (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats (d) protect the interests of all the border States

    Ladakh's Sixth Schedule demand rests on its large Scheduled Tribe population, which is what these Schedules protect.

Mains practice question

Compare Article 371 and the Sixth Schedule as models for protecting the interests of Ladakh. Which is more suitable? (250 words)

Model answer

Since becoming a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019, Ladakh has sought safeguards for land, jobs and its tribal culture. Two constitutional models are debated: a new Article 371K and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.

Article 371 model

  • Tailored special provisions for particular States, such as protection of Naga customary law and land (371A), development boards (371, 371J) and local reservation in jobs.
  • Flexible: can be designed for Ladakh's needs, including domicile protection and a consultative body.
  • Keeps the Centre's administrative control intact.

Sixth Schedule model

  • Autonomous district councils with legislative, executive and judicial powers over land, forests and customs.
  • Applies in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
  • About 97% of Ladakh's population is tribal, which supports the demand.

Comparison

  • Autonomy: the Sixth Schedule offers more self-rule; Article 371 offers safeguards but less power.
  • Security: Ladakh borders China and Pakistan, so the Centre prefers a model that keeps control.
  • Existing councils: the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils already exist but lack constitutional status.
  • Experience: Sixth Schedule councils suffer from weak finances and ethnic tensions.

Suitable path

The MHA's September 2026 offer of an elected UT-level body with powers over land, culture, forests and resources moves in this direction, but it is silent on finances, police and the bureaucracy. A 371K with constitutional status for the hill councils, protection of land and jobs, and a mechanism for consultation offers most of the Sixth Schedule's substance without weakening border administration. Pairing it with a timeline for representative government would address the democratic deficit.

The right model is one that gives Ladakhis a real voice while respecting its strategic position.

The basics

Why this matters

Since becoming a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019, Ladakh has sought statehood and constitutional protection for its land, jobs and culture. The Centre has now offered a new Article 371K. How much power it actually grants will decide whether it settles the demand.

31 Oct 2019
Date Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

What Article 371 does

Articles 371 to 371J contain special provisions for specific States, from development boards to protection of customary law.

Examples of special provisions
  1. 1371Development boards: Maharashtra, Gujarat
  2. 2371ANagaland: customary law and land
  3. 3371FSikkim
  4. 4371JKalyana-Karnataka region

Two routes for Ladakh

Ladakh's groups sought the Sixth Schedule; the Centre has offered a 371-type provision.

Sixth Schedule versus Article 371K
Sixth Schedule
  • Autonomous district councils
  • Law-making on land, forests, customs
  • Now in four north-eastern States
vs
Proposed 371K
  • Elected UT-level body
  • Powers over land, culture, forests, resources
  • Finances and police unclear

How we got here

The demand has developed over several years.

Ladakh's status
  1. 1995Leh hill council created
  2. 2003Kargil hill council created
  3. 31 Oct 2019UT without legislature
  4. 9 Sep 2026MHA proposes Article 371K
  5. Oct 2026Next round of talks expected

What decides the outcome

The existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council bodies have limited powers. A strong provision, modelled on Article 371A, would need clear control over finances and administration; the UT's governance currently rests on the President's powers, including under Article 240.

You now know

  • Articles 371 to 371J give special provisions to specific States.
  • Ladakh became a UT without a legislature on 31 October 2019.
  • The Centre proposed Article 371K on 9 September 2026, with an elected body.
  • The Sixth Schedule applies to Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Go deeper

In one line: The Centre has offered Ladakh a new Article 371K with an elected body, but Ladakh's groups want more clarity and more power.

Why it matters for UPSC

GS2 asks about federalism, special provisions and tribal self-governance. Article 371 and the Sixth Schedule are often compared in questions.

The core idea

Article 371 has a series of tailor-made provisions, from Nagaland's protection of customary law to Karnataka's development board. Ladakh, a UT without a legislature since 2019, has sought statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. The Centre's offer of a new Article 371 provision would give an elected UT-level body law-making power over land, culture, forests and natural resources. What it leaves unclear, finances, police and bureaucracy, is exactly what decides how much real power the body would have.

Numbers and dates to remember

  • 371 to 371J: existing special provisions.
  • 98th Amendment (2012): Article 371J.
  • 31 October 2019: Ladakh becomes a UT.
  • 9 September 2026: Article 371K proposed.

Where to go next

In one line: The proposal's strength will depend on the powers not yet defined: money, police and bureaucracy.

Why Ladakh wants protection

A small, largely tribal population in a fragile high-altitude environment fears land purchases by outsiders, loss of jobs to outsiders and cultural dilution.

Why the Centre prefers Article 371

It can be tailored, without creating Sixth Schedule councils. Border security and strategic location near China and Pakistan make the Centre cautious about handing over police and administration.

What makes a special provision strong

Article 371A shows the high end: no Act of Parliament on Naga customary law, religious practice or land ownership applies unless the Nagaland Assembly agrees.

Existing bodies

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh and Kargil handle local development but lack legislative power.

Options on the table

  • Statehood.
  • The Sixth Schedule.
  • A 371K with a legislature, with the President's regulation power under Article 240 limited accordingly.

Where to go next

Sixth Schedule

Autonomous councils for tribal areas

In one line: The Sixth Schedule provides for autonomous district and regional councils in tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Powers

Councils can make laws on land, forests (other than reserved), shifting cultivation, inheritance and customs, and run courts for tribal disputes.

Basis

Articles 244(2) and 275(1).

Ladakh's demand

Ladakh's groups sought inclusion to protect land and culture; the Centre has instead offered an Article 371-type provision.

Where to go next

Sixth Schedule: every story that connects to it (2)

Article 371A

The strongest special provision

In one line: Article 371A, added by the 13th Amendment (1962), gives Nagaland special protection.

Key protection

No Act of Parliament on Naga religious or social practices, customary law, administration of civil and criminal justice under customary law, or ownership and transfer of land applies to Nagaland unless its Assembly passes a resolution.

Governor's role

Special responsibility for law and order at the time of its creation.

Why it matters

It is often cited as the strongest special provision and a model for other regions.

Where to go next

Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council

The existing local body

In one line: Ladakh has two hill councils, in Leh (created in 1995) and Kargil (created in 2003), under a State law of the time.

Functions

Local development planning, land use within their areas and some administrative matters.

Limits

They lack legislative power and depend on the administration for funds.

After 2019

With no UT legislature, they are Ladakh's main elected bodies, which is why their powers are central to the current talks.

Where to go next

Article 240

How the President governs some UTs

In one line: Article 240 lets the President make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of certain Union Territories.

Which UTs

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Ladakh; for Puducherry, only when its legislature is dissolved or suspended.

Force of regulations

They can repeal or amend Acts of Parliament applying to the UT.

Relevance

The proposed Ladakh body would legislate on subjects reserved for the UT under this Article.

Where to go next

Take the 22 September 2026 quiz: 30 Prelims-style questions with answers

Syllabus

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